Chess

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

The Central California Chess Association's Concord Regional Tournament, held June 10-11 at the Concord Senior Citizen Center, was won by Charles Pardini of San Francisco with a score of 3.5-.5. His performance in the master-expert division was rewarded by the first prize of $75.

In the expert category a three-way tie among Roger Gabrielson, Berkeley, Kin Grivainis, Concord, and James MacFarland, San Francisco, at 2.5-1.5 netted only $6 each.

Robert Anderson, San Jose, was top scorer with 3.5-.5 in Class A, earning $40 in prize money. Half a point behind for $6 each were James Fosaaen, Concord, and Bill Noble, Concord.

Perfect scores of 4-0 were tallied by Ben Gross, San Francisco, in Class B and Igor Gritzai, San Leandro, in Class C for an award of $40 each. Richard Paige of Sunol took first in Class D with a result of 3-1, receiving $15.

Martin Morrison directed the weekend event, which attracted 82 Bay Area chess players to the competition.

EXHIBITION RESULTS

Talented chess master and philosopher Larry Gilden delivered an intriguing lecture and gave a very successful simultaneous exhibition at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club in San Francisco, June 17. Of 26 boards only Frank Eng (San Francisco) managed to win, when the former inter-collegiate and junior champion failed to obtain enough compensation for his queen sacrifice. Four draws were recorded by Eugene Lein (Berkeley), Joe Tracy (San Francisco), David Krause (Mill Valley) and Elsie Lee (San Francisco), who was delighted by her unexpected result.

USCF senior master James Tarjan held a small simultaneous display on 14 boards at the Mechanics' Institute on June 21, which produced a near perfect score of 13.5-.5 for the 20-year-old international veteran. Kevin Fong of San Francisco, recently graduated with honors from high school and on his way to Harvard with a scholarship, eked out the lone draw.

"In my opinion, the upcoming match in Reykjavik will be very interesting from the point of view of chess art," said world champion Boris Spassky, June 16, at a press conference attended by Soviet and foreign newsmen. He spoke at their invitation in the Central House of Journalism prior to leaving for Iceland's capital on June 21.

The world champion fielded a variety of questions:

"Who would you have selected as challenger for the title, if you had been given the choice?"

"Definitely Fischer," replied Spassky. "I think very highly of him both personally and as a chess player. I am looking forward to the match as a great chess event, although, naturally, I cannot predict how it will come out."

* * *

"FISCHER'S MATCH RECORD against the other challengers are without precedent in the history of chess. How do you assess his results?"

"Fischer was stronger than his opposition."

"What are you favorite sports?"

"Lately, tennis," answered Spassky. "I am still not very good, but I keep at it."

"In preparing for the match with Fischer, have you learned all his strong and weak points?"

"Permit me not to answer that question. After all, I do have a right to professional secrets!"

"Fischer always carries a collection of all your games around with him," observed one of the American reporters. "Do you have all of his games?"

"Yes, of course, I have them all."

"Tell us about your theoretical match preparations."

* * *

"WITHOUT FAIL," responded the champion with a smile, "I will tell you after the match."

"What do you think about Fischer's assertion that he will definitely win the match in Reykjavik?"

"Fischer has a right to talk that way."

"Fischer," noted the American newsmen, "alleges that Soviet chess players always try to make things unpleasant for him. Is this so?"

"I entertain no such view," retorted Spassky. "Besides, Fischer's accusation is not substantiated by the facts. I do not understand such statements."

At the reporters' request, Boris Spassky gave some information about himself: he is 35 years old, was introduced to chess at the age of nine and became a grandmaster at 18. He is married, has a daughter Tanya, and a son, Vasya, who will be five years old on the day the match begins.

Spassky announced that international grandmasters Yefim Geller (his second) and Nokolai Krogius and international master Ivo Ney will accompany him to Reykjavik.

CHESS EXHIBITION IN BERKELEY

US master John Grefe (2367) will conduct a simultaneous exhibition at the Berkeley Central YMCA, 2001 Allston Way, on Friday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m. Winners may choose to have their game annotated by the master, whose recent results include a 1st place tie at the 1971 National Open, or to receive a copy of the Louis D. Statham Masters & Experts Tournament Book. Non-winners may have their game annotated for a fee of $1 or purchase the Tournament Book for $2.25. Please bring board and men. Games unfinished by 11 p.m. may be submitted to adjudication and prize mailed. Call Martin Morrison, 582-1973, for further information.